A vet’s reasons to consider adopting a shelter dog
Promoting Animal Welfare for the Shelter volunteers Sheila Fike, left, Carrie Webb, Brenda Siladi, Michelle Neely and Dr. Marissa Hofstetter recently volunteered their time at an adoption event held at Troutman Vineyards.
Dan Starcher
Dr. Marissa Hofstetter, a veterinarian at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, has observed an increase in the number of shelter dogs over the past few years, and the trend is concerning.
The clinic provides veterinary services to the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center, and Hofstetter evaluates each dog as they enter the shelter. Additionally, she volunteers her time at adoption events such as Yappy Hour events at Troutman Vineyards on the second Friday of each month through October to help raise money for a mobile spay, neuter and adoption vehicle.
“I used to be able to evaluate each new dog in the shelter in about half an hour every week,” she said. “Now it takes me up to two hours per week to get to them, all due to the growing number of new intakes.”
One concern for Hofstetter is the amount of stress living in a shelter puts on the animals, which causes them to act erratically and reduces their chances of adoption.
“The environment is very stressful — the noise, the lack of exercise, lack of socialization,” she said. “If you can get dogs into a foster home or one-on-one, you will see a whole different side of them.”
According to Hofstetter, the pent-up energy, combined with the stressful living conditions of the shelter, can cause excessive barking, cage fear and pulling out their fur. However, even with their background, shelter dogs typically have fewer health issues because they aren’t purebred.
Brenda Siladi, president of Promoting Animal Welfare for the Shelter, said there are advantages of getting dogs outside of the shelter environment for even a short time.
“The dogs really do act differently outside of the shelter,” Siladi said. “We have volunteer programs that allow people to come in and socialize with the dogs to get them outside for a while. They can go on a walk, take a car ride or even take them overnight without any obligation. Anyone can become involved; you can spend five minutes or five hours with a dog.”
To learn more about PAWS, future Yappy Hour events or to volunteer, visit www.pawsforwcds.org.
Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.
